ANOTHER MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT FAILURE IN WOOLWICH

The Agenda and package for next Tuesday's Committee of the Whole meeting at 6 pm. in Woolwich Council Chambers is now on-line. One interesting item is under 12. Other Business and is titled "Recommendation to Post Warning Signs Downstream of Chemtura". TAG (Technical Advisory Group) Chairman Dr. Richard Jackson had been attempting to get the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (M.O.E.) to erect warning signs in certain areas along the Canagagigue Creek, warning fishermen to be extremely cautious about eating any fish caught in the creek due to contamination by Dioxins and DDT.

Our polluter friendly, professional obfuscaters at the M.O.E. had many valid reasons in their wee minds as to why this was not a good idea. In my wee mind it could be considered an affront to our highly ethical and civilized American neighbours occupying the upstream Chemtura Canada property. Afterall they pay taxes and donate to some local causes. That they used to use the Canagagigue as an open sewer is ancient history. Most of their victims, animal or human, are probably dead by now. Those that aren't would have a difficult time proving that Uniroyal, Chemtura's forerunner, were responsible.

Keep in mind that these signs are being erected by Woolwich Township on their own without M.O.E. assistance . That is to the credit of the Township. Despite their long history of protecting and enabling Chemtura it is still nice to see them occasionally stand up on their hind feet and take action contrary to the wishes of the partners in pollution, Chemtura and the Ontario M.O.E.. Also keep in mind that fish swim up and down the creek. The "hotspots" aren't necessarily only at the New Jerusalem Road, Northfield Drive (#22) and Jigs Hollow Road (#46).